Sunday, 18 July 2010

Beer of the Week - Muskoka Light Pilsner

Usually when I do a Beer of the Week, I try to select a beer from I brewery that I have not written of before.

A few weeks ago I was at Sessions, A Craft Beer Festival sampling a wide variety of beers. Muskoka Cottage Brewery was there and served up Teena's favorite of the day, Muskoka Cream Ale. They also served up a surprise for me.

After sampling Double IPAs, Bocks, West Coast IPAs and the like, I was offered a Light Pilsner from the booth at Muskoka Cottage Brewery. I told the beer rep that it would not be a good idea after everything I have already tried, as it would just taste like water. He begged to differ, so I tried some.

It stood up. I could smell and taste the hops, even though my taste buds were burned out. I knew I had to try this one again under more favorable circumstances to see what it really did taste like. With so many tastes in my mouth, I could not define whether or not this was a good beer.

The rep told me that most breweries brew their light beers to a higher specific gravity so it hits around 8%, then dilute the product. Specific gravity is measured by using a hydrometer which measures the density of sugars in a liquid. By applying a formula to determine the amount of alcohol in a liquid. I could find no exact proof that breweries do brew their light beers in this manner but most websites I visited seem to lean this way. Muskoka brews their light beer to the specific gravity that is 4%, so there is no need to dilute.

You know this brewery is located in a small town when you read the address as posted on Bracebridge's website as "Located at 13 Taylor Road, by the railway tracks." I like that. Something they mentioned too which I was not aware of was that the brewery is located in a historic building which was a granary in the very early 1900s.

Now to the beer.

It pours a light golden colour with a white head. Although the head dissipated, it did not fully disappear, which I have found in some other beers. There is a detectable aroma of hops which comes from the glass. This gives me hope.

On taking my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a strong hop presence that lasts through-out. The beer is refreshing and hoppy, ending on a sour note than a bitter note. Lacings do remain on the side of the glass as I sip away.

This is indeed a very good beer. I would not guess that this is only 4% alcohol as it is full of flavour and equal to many Pilsners I have tried before. I have been looking for a good light beer, one with flavour. I am on Weight Watchers and light beers do not cost as many points as a regular beer. This one would make a good session beer, not costing me as many points while having a few.

There are many great beers out there, so many I enjoy and will always be regulars in my fridge. Now I have another to go with them. Never figured a light beer would become one of my regular stock.